Our Mini Vacation

We took a “mini” vacation all the way to Kemah & Houston. We left Saturday morning and headed to Kemah. Sterling and Avery had fun riding some rides and playing in the water spouts. We also enjoyed a nice lunch, but it was definitely HOT!

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We headed to downtown Houston mid afternoon where we checked into our hotel. The kids always love staying at a hotel. They are always so excited when we check in and walk into our room. After getting stuck in traffic, getting lost, and a few parking fiascos, I was thinking to myself, “What are we doing staying at a hotel when home is only 40 minutes from here?” But, I guess this is part of a “true” Houston vacation, right (along with the heat and humidity)?

Avery and Sterling loved riding in the glass elevators and looking out. It was a very pretty hotel that has recently been remodeled. They apparently had some damage during Hurricane Ike. Sadly, Spindletop Restaurant that sits at the top of the hotel is still under construction.

After a brief rest, we headed to the Astros game. We arrived a little late after another parking fiasco. Sterling really enjoyed the game, and the Astros won 8-1! Also, a very nice man gave Sterling his Jeff Bagwell statue giveaway (to the 1st 10,000 fans). He was very excited. The roof at Minute Maid was closed, but it was still very hot. I can’t imagine the electric bill for Minute Maid! Poor Ian was sweating, and so was I! Thankfully, it was one of the shortest baseball games I’ve ever been to.

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Sunday, I woke up with a migraine, but we had promised to the kids we would go to the Children’s Museum. So, I took some medicine and pushed myself to go. I’m not sure what caused it, but I’m guessing the heat. Unfortunately, I’m still dealing with it on Monday. The Children’s Museum was well worth it. We will have to go back when it’s not so crowded, and when we aren’t so tired. It really was a lot of fun! Avery and Sterling’s favorite part was Kidtropolis, a mini-city where they get to work, shop, and spend play money with an ATM card.

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Rolling on Over

Ian rolled over for the first time today from his back to his stomach.  It’s funny because he gets so mad when he does it.  I guess he doesn’t know what to do once he gets there.

 

 

Avery's 7th Birthday Party

We celebrated Avery's 7th birthday this past Saturday. We had the party at a local birthday place. It was very nice because I did not have to worry about cleaning up before and after, and they took care of all the food, even the cake. I basically just showed up!

Our birthday gift to Avery was an American Girl doll, Chrissa (the girl of the year for 2009). And, Avery's grandparents gave her the matching dress. The dress is very well made, and fits Avery perfectly. According to Avery, Chrissa has now joined our family. She has been everywhere with us the past few days (even to church).


As the girls arrived at the birthday party, they each got to pick out a dress. They could then add a purse, bracelet, shoes, or other accessories. They also had their nails painted and a little blush or magic fairy dust on their cheeks.

There was then a fashion show where each guest was able to model their outfit. We even had "prince charming Sterling" and "pirate Joel".

After the fashion show, everyone enjoyed sandwiches, blueberry muffins, grapes, strawberries, and lemonade. Then it was time for birthday cake.

Then it was time for a little more "dressing up" and a game of musical chairs. Lastly, Avery got to open a lot of wonderful presents from her friends.

You can view all the pictures here:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Also, here is the favor bag that each guest received. The party place also gave each guest a ribbon headband.

I found the cute bag at Dollar Tree and some goodies at Target. I included a Ring Pop, pixie sticks, headband, hair band, pencil, pad, compact, and lipgloss. I also made these books, too.

Even though I didn't have to clean before the party, Juan would say that I spent too much time making these books. I probably did spend too much time on them, but I really did have fun making them. I got a lot of the ideas from American girl book, "Just Mom and Me" and from Family Fun. And, I was able to play around with Microsoft Publisher and Scrapblog. Here are some of the pages I included:

• Restaurant Fun - Guest Check to take Family's orders
• Birthday Party Word Search
• Tear and Share Coupons
• All About Me (favorites)
• Jar of Fun - Fill a jar with different fun ideas on a piece of paper, and pull one out when you have some time.
• Origami Fish
• Hug and Kiss (Tic-Tac-Toe boards)
• Door knockers for rooms
• Twenty Questions to ask mom or dad about when you were a baby
• Bookmarks
• Would You Rather. . . Quiz
• Recipes
• My Summer Wish List
• Frames to paste favorite photos
• Craft - Ice Skate Bookmark
• This or That Quiz
  
  
  

Ian is 5 months!

Ian is 5 months old today! He is such a good baby and is very happy most of the time. His colic days seem to be long gone. And, we are having fewer spit up episodes. I'm so glad he is outgrowing the reflux, and I'm glad I decided not to put him on Prevacid. It wasn't always easy in those early months, but I'm just glad I didn't give him an unnecessary Rx.

Here is what Ian is up to these days:



Ian loves the "entertainment piano". He loves to stand in there. He is working on his leg muscles!

Ian loves to sit up. He does not like to lay down. We just moved him to the big car seat (rear facing). He was getting way too heavy for the infant carrier. And quite frankly, he did not like being in it.

He tries to talk, and loves someone to "talk" back to him. He also loves to scream--sometimes he sounds like a peacock. I think he has discovered his voice.

He loves to chew on blankets, bibs, his lovie, or anything soft. He is still working on cutting his first tooth.

His eyes are still blue. I think they might stay blue.

He is about 18 pounds / wears size 3 diapers / 6-12 month clothes.

We tried rice cereal this month, but he did not like it. I will try again sometime later this month. He was more interested in chewing on the bib.




HI EVERYONE!!

Avery's Makeover

Avery said goodbye to her long hair. . .Avery got a haircut! She had about 8 inches cut off. She really looks so cute. I was having such a "war" with the tangles--it was long overdue. I keep looking at her now--she really looks different to me. I'm just so used to seeing her with long hair.

Also, Avery lost another tooth. This time she lost the tooth on her own, with a little help from Gaga. She actually lost the tooth on June 12, but I didn't have time to post. The tooth fairy came to visit, and Avery was amazed that the tooth fairy left her "fairy dust" all over her dresser.

Happy Birthday Avery!!

Avery is 7 today! Wow, my little girl is turning into a little lady. She is a great helper to me with her little brothers (most of the time). She really does love them, and she and Sterling play very well together. I am an only child, so I never got to experience the relationship with a sibling. It really is special to see the bond that they share. I hope they will always be friends, even as adults. She still is not into cleaning her toys or messes--hopefully that will improve, but that's probably wishful thinking on my part.

Here are some of her current favorites or likes:
dolphins
drawing
anything girly
playing games on the computer
American Girl
Super Mario Bros.

Happy 7th Birthday Avery!

Would you rather. . .

I recently purchased the American Girl book "Just Mom and Me." I gave it to Avery on her last day of 1st grade. I thought it would be great fun for us this summer.

The book is filled with coupons, quizzes, recipes, and story starters. It is perfect for Avery to learn more about me as a little girl, things I like, and vice versa. Thank you American Girl for this wonderful book!

Today we took the quiz "Would you rather. . ."

BUNGEE JUMP OR SKYDIVE?
Avery - Bungee Jump / Mom - Skydive

BE ABLE TO FLY OR BE INVISIBLE?
Avery - Fly / Mom - Fly

GO BACKWARD IN TIME OR FORWARD IN TIME?
Avery - Backward / Mom - Forward (to see my babies as adults)

DANCE IN FRONT OF 10,000 PEOPLE OR SING IN FRONT OF THEM?
Avery - Both (brave girl!) / Mom - Dance

EAT ALL MEALS AT HOME OR ALL MEALS AT RESTAURANTS?
Avery - Eat at home / Mom - at Restaurants (this would probably get old, but if I have to choose and no dishes to wash!)

BE ABLE TO TALK TO ANIMALS OR HAVE ANY ANIMAL YOU WANTED AS A PET?
Avery - Talk to Animals / Mom - Talk to Animals

BE AN ONLY CHILD OR HAVE TEN SIBLINGS?
Avery - 10 siblings / Mom - 10 siblings (I'm already an only child.)

BE PRESIDENT OF THE US OR THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND?
Avery - President of the US / Mom - President of the US

BE ABLE TO SEE THE FUTURE OR BE ABLE TO READ PEOPLE'S MINDS?
Avery - See the future / Mom - Read people's minds (like Edward :-)

LIVE IN A TREE HOUSE OR LIVE ON A BOAT?
Avery - Tree House / Mom - Boat

Multitasking

Here's my little "Multitasker" - sucking his thumb and pulling his toes.

Welcome to Summer

Today was Avery's last day of school. She is now a 2nd grader! Where does the time go? Check her out on the 1st day of school:

Here she is leaving for school this morning.


Almost every morning before school, the cutest little exchange takes place between a brother and a sister. Avery heads off to the bus stop and gets to the neighbor's driveway. Sterling calls out, "I want to give you a hug and kiss Avery!" He runs after her while she stops and waits for him to come give her a hug and a kiss. Here is their exchange this morning.


Sterling and I made this banner today. I saw this on another blog, but now I'm having trouble finding the link. Oh well. It might have also been in Family Fun magazine.


And, here comes Avery home from school. She was very excited to see her banner. I also had a special book waiting for her (more on that later). WELCOME TO SUMMER!

Show Us Where You Live - My Office

Here is my office where I spend too much time working. I really do work in here--we have a home-based business. Sometimes I feel like I spend too much time in here, but I know I am very blessed to be able to stay home with my children.

We bought this desk last year, and I recently got a new computer. I gave my old computer to my children. Now I don't have to worry about them doing something "dangerous" to my computer or the laptop, and I can always see what they are doing. My 3 year loves to CLICK the mouse!


Another thing I love about the desk is my husband and I each have our designated spaces. He usually shares his side with the kids. This is my side.





Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear your comments and can't wait to see your offices.

Goodbye to 1st Grade

I can't believe another school year is almost over. There are only a few more days of school left. Avery's last day of 1st Grade will be on Thursday (06/04).

Last Friday was the Spring Party. Avery and her classmates enjoyed playing games outside (pirate themed) and a root beer float.




Today was the Awards party. We are so proud of Avery.




She was awarded the following awards:
Honor Roll - All A's
2nd Place Class Spelling Bee - Look out Scripps!
Excellence in Music
Accelerated Reader Award
Citizenship for Conduct
Reading Safari Book Club for reading 100 books
Rockin' Rhino Effort Award

Here are the "Rockin Rhinos!"